The 30 Best Christmas Songs Available to Stream

We kick off our list with one of the most iconic Christmas songs ever made. There have been many versions of this song recorded by a large swathe of artists, but no version is as classic or as timeless as the one sung by Nat King Cole.

It’s hard to believe that this more modern classic is itself already more than 20 years old. Mariah Carey has recorded a number of Christmas songs and a pair of albums during her career, but no song as memorable (or as fun) as this.

A Charlie Brown Christmas remains one of the top TV specials of the season, and “Christmas Time Is Here” is one of the best songs from the special. This version features vocals, but there’s also an instrumental version you may want to consider for your list.

Louis Armstrong is known for playing the trumpet, of course, but his singing voice is sometimes underrated. Similarly, Armstrong is mainly known for playing jazz, but this Christmas song from the legend is also often underrated. One listen and you’ll be hooked.

You can’t have a proper list of holiday songs without “Jingle Bells”. The question is which one to choose. While there are plenty of good versions out there, our favorite is Frank Sinatra’s version, if only for the J-I-N-G-L-E Bells.

Like many Christmas classics, there are a number of versions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Some versions border on the somber side, but Fitzgerald’s jazzed-up version is much more fun and lighthearted.

Christmas songs by the Jackson 5 have a more modern feel compared to some other more classic songs. Yet the voice of a young Michael Jackson keeps the group’s offerings timeless in their own right. One of their best is “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”.

Bing Crosby may be forever linked to “White Christmas,” but arguably more notable is this Hawaii-tinged classic. It may also be particularly memorable for those who have seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Speaking of “White Christmas,” this time around check out this slightly sped-up version from The Drifters. Sure, the song was made most famous by Crosby, but The Drifters took it to a whole new — and slightly different — level.

One of the few strictly instrumental selections on this list, “The Sound of Christmas” is exactly what the title says. Put simply, it just sounds like Christmas. Oh, and it also features a funky and jazzy piano solo.

On “This Time of the Year,” Benton slows it down a bit, so perhaps you’ll consider putting this more toward the end of your holiday song selection. Whatever the case, just make sure that this classic is included.

It may seem sacrilegious to include a version of “This Christmas” other than Donny Hathaway’s 1970 version. Still, Christina Aguilera definitely holds her own on her more modern rendition of the classic Christmas song.

Just like you can’t have a holiday playlist without “Jingle Bells,” you probably shouldn’t have one without “Jingle Bell Rock” either. There are of course many versions to choose from, but we recommend you stick to the original by Bobby Helms.

Both “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride” are must-have holiday standards. While you can certainly find solid versions of each, the two-in-one medley version from Dolly Parton is among the best around.

You probably wouldn’t expect to see the creator of Family Guy on this list. But MacFarlane is a surprisingly effective crooner on the side, and his version of “Christmas Dreaming” shows off his enviable talent.

There was a time when Mariah Carey was known mainly for her strong and powerful voice. Those were the days. That’s no more evident than on “O Holy Night,” this version being even more impressive considering it was recorded live.

What’s Your Favorite Christmas Song of All Time?

Now that you’ve digested our list of the best Christmas songs of all time, you can listen to them all on Spotify by opening the playlist embedded below.

There are so many Christmas songs available to stream, there’s no way we could include every single one. So the rest is up to you.

Do you have a favorite holiday song that didn’t make our list? Then please tell us what it is in the comments section below! There are no right or wrong answers here, just some awesome Christmas songs guaranteed to make the holidays go with a bang.

I'm one of the more fortunate "aged" people and though I've heard all of your selections in many different renditions, I have to tell you that I discovered a Christmas song a few years ago that knocks my socks off: "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."

you have to include the modern classic:
HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over) - JOHN & YOKO THE PLASTIC ONO BAND
and the earlier statement that I think helped make it possible:
Simon & Garfunkel - Silent Night/7 O' Clock News

I enjoy the selections from Bob Rivers' "Twisted Christmas," particularly "The 12 Pains of Christmas," and "We Wish You Weren't Living With Us." Hearing "Something in the Chimney" at World of Disney at Walt Disney World was a little bit odd, though.

Oh man, there are so many good Christmas songs (and so many good versions of those songs) that this list could have been 100 songs long!

Here are a few of my favorites (some alternate versions of ones on the list):

- This Christmas by Seal
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Weezer
- Joy to the World by B.E. Taylor
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Kevin Max
- Do You Hear What I Hear by Seventh Day Slumber
- Angels We Have Heard on High by Josh Groban
- Little Drummer Boy by Whiteheart and The Almost